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Jan. 27, 1959 w. l.y EDMoNs'KroN CONSTANT NAss LIQUID DISPENSING CONTROL originan Filed De@ 21. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'alp v Woo/ford L. Edmons/on www,

w. L. EDMoNsToN coNsrAN'r mss LIQUID DISPENSING CONTROL original Filed Dec. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent..y Gfice Re. 24,595 Reissues Jam'.` 27, 1959 CONSTANT MASS LIQUID DISPENSING CONTI-IOL Woolford L. Edmonston, Laurel, Md., assignor to William E. McBride, Woodstown, N. J.

Griginal No. 2,810,367, dated October 22, 1957, Serial No. 476,825, December 21, 1954. Application for reissue May 22, 1958, Serial No. 737,177

Claims. (Cl. 119-81) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specilication; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ditioning humidifier unit where it soaks into capillary i lspaces for evaporation, or into measuring containers of any kind for measuring off exact successive mass batches of the liquid or for maintaining one batch continuously constant by replenishing any losses therefrom` as they occur. IThe invention is illustrated as applied only to watering pans for small animals, such as fowl, although it could be applied-to many other uses as indicated above, by simply replacing the pan by any other type of closed or open bulk container or sponge material.

The object generally is to provide means for dispensing a liquid from a pressure supply pipe having an upwardly opening supply nozzle normally closed by a check valve, to a container requiring a predetermined mass of liquid to be maintained in it by supplying a controlled amount of the liquid to replace continuously whatever liquid'is used up, as by drinking, evaporation or other withdrawal therefrom, thus maintaining a constant capacity in said container, said means forming a part of the container itself. t

Another object is to make this container readily I removable for cleaning' purposes, by a simple lifting operation, and replaceable after cleaning by simply lowering it over the check valve in the supply nozzle, whereby the check valve is automatically opened for the continuous supply of liquid into the container whenever the mass of liquid is reduced below a predeterminedamount, the nozzle being automatically closed whenever this amount is attained in the container, and opened when it is reduced below this amount.

"A further object is to provide a watering pan for animals and the like, mountable over water spout connected to a source of water supply, said pan and water spout being provided with control means for automatically maintaining a constant supply of water in said `pan up to a delinite level therein by opening and closing the spout in accordance with the demand of the animals drinking therefrom,

Further and more specific objects will appear in the following detailed description of this invention, when taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fig. 1 is axial vertical section of one form of the invention as applied to a watering pan,

. Fig. V2 isa partial view of a similar section showing the position of the valve parts when the pan is empty,

Fig. 3 is a view of the water supply nozzle or spout showing the check valve in section,

Fig. 4 is an axial vertical section of another form of the invention wherein the check valve islocated internally of the spout to protect it from damage when the panis removed, t y

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the cheek valve in open position with the pan empty, and

Fig. 6 is a view of the nozzle showing the check valve in normally closed position.

While only two forms of the invention are shown for purposes of illustration any number of other adaptations may be made as suggested above, to suit specific requirements .of either measuring out or maintaining a constant mass of liquid in bulk or dispersed in a spongy or absorbent material. The same spout and supply control attachment may be used with any type of container. y

Referring to the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the standpipe or spout 10 may be installed in an outlet tting in a pipe line water supply system vat a strategic location where it may be desired to continuously provide drinking water for farm, domestic or wild animals, or fresh water for a bird bath or iish basin, or water plant bowl, etc. Spout 10 is equipped with a normally closed check valve 11 with a protruding stem `l12 in ra nipple 13 screwed into the upper end of the spout. The valve shown is of the internal pressure closing type, although a light spring could be used to assist it in normally closingoi the supply of water through the nipple.

A suitable bowl 14 may have the^6enter portion of its bottom 15 pushed up part way towards the level of its top edge 16. This center portion 'has an opening in which is mounted a fitting 17 by which the bowlqis hung over the spout. This litting comprises a flanged sleeve 18 that fits freely around the spout 10 and extends in height to about the level of the top edge 16 of the bowl. A sealing washer 19 may be used between the ange 20 of the sleeve and the bottom of the bowl, and is clamped to form a water-tight joint by the internally threaded base 21 of the yoke 22 screwed over the externally threaded base 23 of the sleeve 18. The bridge of the yoke is centrally tapped to receive an adjustable lscrew 24 havingl a screwdriver slot 25 in its upper endl and provided with a lock nut 26 for setting itin adjusted position inthe yoke. At its lower end the screw 24 is provided with a valve seat 27 for closingot the `nipple opening when the bowl is suiciently loaded with water to bring the seat down to the nipple.

The upper end of spout 10 is slightlytapered to receive the tapered collar 28 which is biased over this end of the spout by cooled spring 29 compressed between a shoulder 30 on collar 28 and the top of countersunk bore 31 in the bottom of the yoke bridge. Collar `28 has a sleeve apron fitting loosely around the upperportion of sleeve 18 and acts as a shield `to prevent the water ilowing out of the nipple into the bowl from leaking down between sleeve 18 and spout 100. Spring 29 is of a selected strength to permit seat 27 to depress stem 12 to start the flow of water through the nipple when the empty bowl is hung over the spout, and to lower the seat 27 to the nipple and close off the .water flow when the bowl is properly lled. The extent of filling may be adjusted to the precise amount desired by adjustment ofthe screw 24 to permit the spring to support the required total weight before the nipple is closed.

Another form of the invention is illustrated in Figs; 4, 5 and 6, wherein the same principle is involved, but the form of the spoutv and location of the check valve and arrangement of parts are somewhat modiiied. As may be seen in these figures, the delicate check valve-stem does not protrude as in-the trst form, Ywhen the bowl is lifted off the spout, and is therefore not subject to accidental damage as in vthe-first form. Another advantage in this second form is that dirt cannot be caught in the started, rvor it may be emptied through the drain plugat rthe Bottoni.

On the other hand, the first form may be considered to vhave advantages which are absent in thesecond form, for some '.'purpose`s, e. g. the adjustment lfor filling to the 'proper level may be more readily accomplished in the first form, during operation when the Vbowl is suspended in place, 'whereas 'in the second form the bowl has to be liftedoff the v'spout during 'adjustment of the spring compression. Of 'course the desirability of these and other special featl'lr'es of 'either form will determine whether they will be considered advantages or disadvantages. 'For 'the 'purpose 'of Vsirripli'city and making a fool proof construction, it may be desired to eliminate adjustabi-lity 'for seme purposes, and have the design determined for prpper operation at 'the factory. y

Referring to Figs. 4, and l6, spout 32 has a T conjnec'tion'33 for screwing to a horizontal fitting in a supply line. The check valve 34 is mounted in this connection 'and islnorrnally biased to closed position by the light spring 35. The inner end of its stem normally protrudes i'nto ythe vertical bore 36 of the spout. The lower end ofthis vertical bore is closed olf by drain plug 37. The upper end of the spout is counterbored for a distance down to form 'an internal shoulder at 38. The Asame bowl 14 may be used with a modified yoke but having the 'same type of threaded base screwed over the same type 'of sleeve 18 to form a Water tight seal between the sleeve flange and the center portion of the bowl bottom 15 yby clamping the washer 19 therebetween. The upper end ofthe spout 'in this case is also slightly tapered to receive 'thesame 'type of collar 28 as in the first form. However, in this second form a long stem 39 is adjustably threaded at its uppe'rend through the bridge of the yoke, and is provided with a lock nut 40. This stem extends downwardly into the -spout and has Va cam portion 41 at its lower "end 'cooperating with the protruding end of the lfstemofcheck valve 34.

A coiled compression spring 44 is held in the counterbore of the spout between the shoulder 38 vand a pair of lock riutsu42 adjustably threaded on the upper portion of "stern y39. As` the fitting 43 with the bowl is lowered over the spout 32, the lobe of the cam portion 41 Lof the ystein engages the valve stem of valve 34 and starts the ow of water as shown in Fig. 5. As the bowl iills up, the additional weight compresses the spring 44` further until-the groove portion of cam 41 comes opposite the checkw valve 34 and permits the valve stem to protrude into the vertical bore and allow the check valve to close 'and vstop the flow. Any reduction in the amount of water in the bowlwill automatically lift the carn 41 and vresume the water-flow until the water is replenished. Adjustment for changing the extent of filling of the bowl is 'accomplished -by moving lock nuts 42 on `stem .'39. It may also benone by changing the extent to which the threaded end of stem 539 is threaded through the yoke bridge.

Obviously the upper lend' of stem 39 above the adjustment nuts 42 `could be made separate, so that it could be lifted off with the pan assembly without removing the lower portion. This would make it easier to make adjustment of the lock nuts 42 on the lower portion, when required. i

It should be further noted that in the form shown in Figs. l to 3, the stern 12 of check valve 11 will normally protrude 'a sufficient distance to be depressed when lthe pan assembly is hung over the Vspout even if the pan is empty so as to start the flow of water. Upon stopping of the flow, when the pan is filled so that the seat 27 loses off vthe nipple opening, the stem 12 may drop away from `seat '27 andthe -valve'he'a'd 11 may close ot the restricted passage below it; but as soon as some CTI water is removed from the pan, seat 27 will rise olf the nipple and ow of water will resume and will lift the valve head 11 off the restriction. When the pan assembly is lifted off the spout for any purpose, obviously the hydraulic pressure inthe supply will instantly cause a sutlicient flow to lift the check valve to its 'normally closed position whereby the flow will be immediately cut off and remain that way until the pan assembly is replaced and the seat 27 again keeps the stem 12 depressed, the ow then being controlled by the seat 27 in cooperation with the opening in the top of the nipple 13. Should any dirt fall into the nipple opening w-hile'the panessembly is removed, it will immediately be loosened by the movement of the stem '12 and Iflushed out by the initial flowy established as soon as the pan assembly is remonted on the spout. j

-A flushing action 'of any dirt falling into the spout 32 in the form shown in Figs. 4 to 6, will likewise be ushe'd out in a similar manner by reason of the movement of the stem 39 therein. j

Referring back to the taper fit between `'the upper end of thespout in either form "of the'devic'e and the internally tapered collar or sleeve, it is such Vthat `it will Aprevent leakage of the water flowing over 'it down Vthe outer surface of the `spout, yet will not bind so lthat the pan assembly may be Veasily lifted olf the spout.

Many other obvious modifications in form 'and arrangement of parts may `be made in accordance with specific requirements .withoutdeparting Yfrom the spirit and scope of -Athis invention, as defined in the Iappended claims.

What is claimed is: A

1. Liquid dispensing means comprising a stan'clpipe adapted for connection to a pressure source of liquid,'a check valve [having a closing spring] ymounted therein and normally closing "off flow therethrough when not 'in use, a liquid container having means' for hanging it over said standpi'pe, said means including 'a `coniiection for automatically opening said normally closed valve 'when saicl container is hung on said standpip'e and directing the `flow of liquid from 'said standpipe into said container, and means for closing off the flow whenever Ythe liquid inthe 'container reaches 'a predetermined amount.

2. Liquid dispensing ineens as dnn'ed in claim 'wherein said check valve is in 'the upper end of said vst-andpipe and has 'a vprotruding valve stem, said hanging means'connection including a compressed spring designed tocarry vthe weight of said e'on'tainer and 'cause the part of the connection over the "standpipe to open said valve by depressing said protruding valve stem when the c'o'ntainer is empty and to operate said closing rnean's to close 0E thev opening at the top of the standpipe whenever 4the container is fil-led to the predetermined degree and reopen it Whenever s'ome of the liquid 'in the container has been removed. Y

`3. 'The -ernbintion -denned lin "e'laiin'z, said el'osing means being" adjustable to close i 'the ow at different degrees of filling of sa'id container. i n '4. The combination defined in claim l, said standpipe having a T-'connection to the source, said check valve being located -in said T-connection and having its stem protruding into the vertical bore of said standpipe, said -hanging means connection lincludinga eompressible spring 'designed to carry the weight of said container and cause a cam rod extending downwardly into said stand'pipe from a part ofthe connection oversaid staiidpipe to open -said valve rby depressing said protruding valve stern when the container is empty and to operate Vsaid closing means by lowering 'sid earn -rod to a point where it Yreleases the protruding valve 'stern 'and closes the -c'heck valve whenever Vthe liquid in the container reaches a predetermined amount. y n

5. The combination defined in c'liin 4, said 'closing means being adjustable to close off the flow at any desired degree of illng of said container.

References Cited in the le of this patent or the original patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Imschweiler Nov. 16, 1915 6 4 Lord Feb. 19, 1929 Toadvine Feb. 13, 1951 McBride Sept. 8, 1953 Johnson Mar. 13, 1956 Keyser July 3, 1956 Brembeck Apr. 30, 1957 

